What We Do

Under state law, the Commissioner of Administration is tasked with overseeing and managing the administrative functions of other executive branch state agencies, including their purchasing and contracting, facilities management and more. State law also grants Admin the authority to engage in strategic planning efforts for the state and to investigate and study the management of state agencies, reorganizing them when necessary to ensure effective and efficient operations.

With $176.5 million in annual operating costs and 475 full-time employees, Admin oversees $2.1 billion in state purchases, maintains 4.4 million square feet of owned space and leases an additional 3.6 million square feet of space for over 100 state agencies, boards and councils. The agency also insures $12 billion in property and 13,400 vehicles, and manages over 400 building projects and $166 million in capital appropriations.

Below is a complete breakdown of each of our teams and what they do:

Materials Management oversees $2.1 billion in goods and services purchases annually. The division offers volume discounts to state agencies and local units of government through 1,600 enterprise contracts and the two largest multi-state cooperative purchasing programs in the nation. The team also oversees vendor relations for the state and administers business development programs that help economically disadvantaged and legislatively targeted companies do business with the State. Link for Government Customers. Link for Business Customers.

Plant Management maintains and operates 22 state-owned buildings, including the State Capitol, plus 32 parking facilities, 25 monuments, and associated grounds for a total of 4.4 million square feet. The division also coordinates events on the Capitol Complex and is currently assisting in the restoration of the State Capitol and Governor’s Residence. Link.

Real Estate and Construction Services manages over 400 construction projects and 800 property leases annually. Overall, the state has a real property footprint that includes 5,585 buildings and gross square feet and acreage equaling about 5.5 percent of the state. Link for Real Estate. Link for Construction.

Risk Management insures over $12 billion of the State’s assets and delivers workers’ compensation services for nearly 50,000 state employees. The division takes a proactive approach with a focus on safety and loss control efforts that strive to minimize the incidence of injuries, accidents, and other damages and losses. Link.

Fleet Services leases vehicles to state agencies for official state business. The division’s lease program manages vehicle acquisition and disposition, fueling, maintenance, auto insurance, and life-cycle management for roughly 1,000 vehicles. All told, there are roughly 7,500 vehicles in the state fleet, with annual expenses estimated at $89 million. Link.

Surplus Services assists with the redistribution, reuse and disposal of state and federal surplus property. Property is redistributed to eligible donees – which includes state and local governments, nonprofit health and educational organizations, programs for low-income, needy and homeless persons, and other service groups. The division also operates the state auction program which sells surplus property to the public via live and online auctions. Link.

The State Demographic Center provides population estimates and projections for the state, along with broader analysis and monitoring of key trends. The office distributes demographic data from the federal government and other sources and is Minnesota’s liaison to the United States Census Bureau. Link.

The Information Policy Analysis Division provides technical assistance and consultation on Minnesota’s data practices act, the Open Meeting law, and other information policy laws. The division also works with organizations, individuals, and government entities in drafting, proposing and tracking legislation related to government information policy. Link.

The Office of Grants Management works in partnership with more than 30 state agencies and organizations to standardize, streamline and improve state grant-making practices and increase public information about state grant opportunities. The office manages over $12 million in grants, sets policy for incoming grant funds, and monitors performance of grantees that are awarded grant funding. Link.

The Office of the State Archaeologist manages the State’s archaeological resources including sites and data on behalf of Minnesota citizens. The office sponsors, conducts and directs research into the prehistoric and historic archaeology of Minnesota and reviews and licenses proposed construction projects and related archaeological field investigations to determine the potential for adverse impacts to archaeological sites. Link.

The Minnesota Governor’s Council on Development Disabilities works to assure that persons with developmental disabilities receive the necessary support to achieve increased independence, self-determination, productivity, and integration into the community. Link.

The System of Technology to Achieve Results (STAR) Program helps Minnesotans with disabilities gain access to assistive technology they need to live, learn, work and play. Link.

Communications and Planning directs the agency’s communications and legislative affairs work. The division oversees the Minnesota Office of Continuous Improvement, which has delivered continuous improvement training to over 4000 public sector employees and coordinated over 300 ‘kaizen’ process improvement events. The division also partners with other public institutions, nonprofits, corporations and other key partners to pursue innovative solutions and business efficiencies across state government. Link.